Thai G/f To Uk, Use Agent Or Not ?

[Tman2008]

Dear Somebody,

I am a UK Citizean,

I have been seeing my Thia g/f for 1 year. We met in HK, then I went to BKK, then she came to Austria, and I shall go to BKK again in September for 4 weeks to secure a visa so she can visit me in the UK.

Is it possible for me to do the visa application with her without the use of an agent? Their fees are large, but they are probably successful. I assume they only tell me what paperwork I need.

I secured her a Shengen visa (while in Austria, and not speaking German) off my own back and wondered if the UK embassy will accept the same paper work.

Hope to hear from somebody, any help is much appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Tman2008

[vinny]

See also Visitors (INF 2), Sponsors (INF 3), 10.2 Requirements for a visitor under the Rules and WHAT CONSTITUTES "STRONG TIES"?

If you require professional help, then I would recommend the knowledgeable scouser.

[roygsd]

Dear Somebody,

I am a UK Citizean,

I have been seeing my Thia g/f for 1 year. We met in HK, then I went to BKK, then she came to Austria, and I shall go to BKK again in September for 4 weeks to secure a visa so she can visit me in the UK.

Is it possible for me to do the visa application with her without the use of an agent? Their fees are large, but they are probably successful. I assume they only tell me what paperwork I need.

I secured her a Shengen visa (while in Austria, and not speaking German) off my own back and wondered if the UK embassy will accept the same paper work.

Hope to hear from somebody, any help is much appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Tman2008

Hi Tman2008,

I really would not use an Agent in your position, the acknowledged expert on this forum (the Scouser) said in another post quite recently as far as he is aware there are no Agents in Thailand that are approved by the Imigration services in the uk.

No wishing to alarm you but I seem to recall that recent changes in the UK Visa sytem can result in up to a 10 year ban on applications from a person who has provided incorrect information, perhaps the Scouser will clarify this point?

With that in mind and your personal experience's of Thailand do you really want to take the risk of the agent being economical with or bending the information provided thinking that they are helping your G/F when in fact they could be

preventing her getting a visa to the uk for years?

Do these Agents keep up to date with the day to day changes in uk imigration law? I very much doubt it.

You have done a great job on your own so far so dont take unecessary risks with an agent who may or may not be on the ball.

At least you know that if you do make an error in the documentation it is unlikley to be something to prevent you correcting the error with a follow up application if it was really necessary.

With all due respect to your G/F, it is possible that she may be telling you about friends who have used certain agents successfully and as you are likley aware backhanders are a way of life in thailand so by and large thai's feel that a "connection" is required when dealing with people in positions of Authority.

I am sure Agents exploit that misconception to the hilt.

If when you get the forms you are unsure on any specific points I am sure you will get plenty of good advice here to help you if you want to ask for it.

Dont forget the embassy will likely have had dealings with these "Agents" in the past, perhaps some of those experiences

have given them reason for concern in the past?

If that were the case and you were in the processing officers position would you pay extra attention to applications submitted by that "Agent" in the future? I suspect we all would.

Is it worth running the risk of being prejudiced by matters which you were not aware of? I dont think so.

I am sure the first question that goes through the processing officers mind is " for what possible reason would any reasonable person think that their application would stand more chance of being approved if it were to by presented by an Agent? Followed by the second question, has this person got somehing to hide?

I suggest that if you want the applcation to go through with the minimum fuss and attention you do it yourself.

I know that this visa is very important to the both of you and appreciate you are williing to pay the extra for the privilage of its smooth passage but using an Agent in the situation you have discribed is unnecessary and simply not worth the risk.

Good luck

Roy gsd

[vinny]

No wishing to alarm you but I seem to recall that recent changes in the UK Visa sytem can result in up to a 10 year ban on applications from a person who has provided incorrect information, perhaps the Scouser will clarify this point?

26.16 - Refusal on deception grounds.

[Mossfinn]

If you require professional help, then I would recommend the knowledgeable scouser.

When Vinny talks in brevity, it is usually long on reason.

Is it possible for me to do the visa application with her without the use of an agent?

Possibly

but they are probably successful. I assume they only tell me what paperwork I need.

Depends on the agency and the second question is debatable, depending on the Agency.

the acknowledged expert on this forum (the Scouser) said in another post quite recently as far as he is aware there are no Agents in Thailand that are approved by the Imigration services in the uk.

The OP is in the UK.

No wishing to alarm you but I seem to recall that recent changes in the UK Visa sytem can result in up to a 10 year ban on applications from a person who has provided incorrect information, perhaps the Scouser will clarify this point?

This is correct, but a reputable Agency will not suggest any impropriety.

Followed by the second question, has this person got somehing to hide?

Just because someone uses an Agent doesn't mean they have something to hide, it will probably means they want to get it right first time, as a simple mistake, omission or lack of knowledge may be costly in time, money and personal feelings.

Good Luck

Moss

[Tman2008]

If you require professional help, then I would recommend the knowledgeable scouser.

When Vinny talks in brevity, it is usually long on reason.

Is it possible for me to do the visa application with her without the use of an agent?

Possibly

but they are probably successful. I assume they only tell me what paperwork I need.

Depends on the agency and the second question is debatable, depending on the Agency.

the acknowledged expert on this forum (the Scouser) said in another post quite recently as far as he is aware there are no Agents in Thailand that are approved by the Imigration services in the uk.

The OP is in the UK.

No wishing to alarm you but I seem to recall that recent changes in the UK Visa sytem can result in up to a 10 year ban on applications from a person who has provided incorrect information, perhaps the Scouser will clarify this point?

This is correct, but a reputable Agency will not suggest any impropriety.

Followed by the second question, has this person got somehing to hide?

Just because someone uses an Agent doesn't mean they have something to hide, it will probably means they want to get it right first time, as a simple mistake, omission or lack of knowledge may be costly in time, money and personal feelings.

Good Luck

Moss

Thanks To Everyone for their views and help.

Tman2008